Counterterrorism and Emerging Threats

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FDA plays a critical, multi-dimensional role in our nation's security. The agency oversees the development of regulatory human and veterinary medical products and monitors the nation's food and blood supplies. FDA regulatory responsibilities are central to a successful response to any naturally occurring public emergency or deliberate threat — be it chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear.

The Office of Counterterrorism and Emerging Threats (OCET) mission is to facilitate the development and availability of safe and effective public health emergency medical countermeasures and establish policies to safeguard medical products from adulteration and prevent disruption of supplies as a result of terrorist activities.

OCET provides strategic leadership and coordination for FDA’s counterterrorism and emerging threat portfolios and works to identify and resolve complex scientific and regulatory challenges facing medical countermeasure development, approval, availability, and security. Working closely with FDA Centers, the Office of Regulatory Affairs, Office of Crisis Management and Federal partners, OCET coordinates FDA’s Medical Countermeasures initiative (MCMi); facilitates relevant intra-and inter-agency counterterrorism communications; and coordinates emergency use authorization activities. More ...